Illinois Math and Science Academy
DigitalCommons@IMSA
Faculty Publications & Research
History and Social Science
4-2017
Philosophies and Ideologies
Lee Eysturlid
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, [email protected]
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Recommended Citation
Eysturlid, Lee. "Philosophies and Ideologies." History Matters!: Ideas, Notes, and News About History Education 29 (April 2017).
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Philosophies and Ideologies
by Lee Eysturlid
Philosophies and Ideologies:
In a world of Advanced Placement and the preference for testing, it
becomes ever more difficult to deal with the impact of the “idea” on the
course of historical and intellectual development. The teaching of ideas, for
lack of a better term, can be a challenge as any idea not made explicit by its
creator is open to endless interpretations. We are left then with the need to
construct a path for students to try and develop an understanding rather
than an answer, and one which is, if not correct, at least valid. In the
following two examples of approach, the goal will be to provide two
examples for drawing students into the development of historical
interpretation and empathy that does not sacrifice our need to remain
critical.
Philosophy:
I have the pleasure of teaching a seminar at my home institution that gives
students an introduction to several of the great ethical philosophers of the
Western tradition. My example here are perhaps the two greatest
competing ethical schools of the late enlightenment, that being Immanuel
Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Jeremy Bentham’s Utilitarianism. While
both schools of thinking look to achieve the desirable goal of an improved
and more ethical world, the approach is measurably different.
It is in the subtly of difference that students can see that different ideas can
remain valid in their evidence and approach. The existence of one valid
interpretation does not have to negate a competing idea. For Kant the
answer to all morally philosophical questions is ruled by the “Categorical
Imperative,” that which we choose to do is something we would accept as
a universal law. Conversely, Utilitarian’s reject this focus on intent and
reason in preference for outcomes, which they see as the only clear sign of
an efficacy. Bentham’s rule being stated as “the greatest good for the
greatest number, without the intentional cause of harm.”
I have attached URLs that have a presentation, PPT and some resources for
each of these topics (Kantianism and Utilitarianism). For students, having
been given a basic understanding of each, they can begin the process of
“doing” philosophy rather than just reading about it. Present them with
historical or present problems and ask how they might approach a solution
from either perspective, knowing they are creating valid, not “correct”
answers.
http://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/consider_ethics/2/
http://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/consider_ethics/1/
Ideologies:
Although it generally does not appear in history classes until after 1815, the
word “ideology” is used a great deal The best definition I have found and
the one that allows for effective instruction on the impact of any specific
ideology in the 19th or 20th century is: “the integrated assertions, theories
and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program.”1
The best place to engage students in clear “ideologies” is under the banner
of totalitarianism. The three great ideologies of the 20th century, Fascism,
Nazism and Stalinism (Maoism can easily be added) all made use of the
mechanics of the totalitarian state. Side by side comparisons between the
Fascistic (if you prefer Fascism and Nazism can be grouped) and
Communist world-views make clear their overall distinctions. Both camps
made clear their urge to re-invent the human experience, although the final
outcome is clearly different. But in the study of these differences one can
see the “…theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program”
which will allow for the real discussion. Rather than label anything that
revolves around an idea as an ideology – and what doesn’t after all – speak
to something that was undoubtedly an all-consuming ideal.
One must first establish the basic drivers of each. For the Fascist or Nazi
world we have a hyper-ethnic nationalism combined with an emphasis on
expansion. For the Stalinist or Maoist world there is the emphasis on class
warfare and a reinvention of human production. With the introduction of
totalitarianism one can see the similarity of the path each ideology took,
which are more common than would initially appear. As each ideology
looks to initially program the nation to its own political likeness, it made
ruthless use of the power and apparatus of the state. While the intended
outcomes of course were different, the mechanisms were the same: a single
political party, control of education, mass propaganda, multiple layers of
police control (not just a secret police), some level of direction over the
economy, domination of the military, and finally the creation of a “cult of
personality” for the leader.
Here we have the potential for several teachable topics. Given some brief
readings or even summaries (or if need be your overview) see if students
can create a list of guiding elements for each. How does each view freedom
of speech, or military power, or wealth? These allow for cross comparison.
Then students, armed with the goals of each ideology, can build the
necessary mechanics of its totalitarian state. Again this is where the
ideologies starkly overlap. A final idea for a project, which can be
completed as a paper or as a student (or small group of students)
presentation is an annotated power point of a specific propaganda topic.
For example modest research online will yield a trove of posters and other
propaganda images and more than enough information on topics ranging
from the Cult of Mao to Nazi race policy to Soviet Agriculture.
Hitler (good, brief summary of key points in Mein Kampf):
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/kampf.htm
Stalin (Some of his writing/background):
https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/index.htm
Propaganda PPT:
http://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/proflearningday/2014/history/7/
Conclusion:
Introducing students, and ourselves, to the history of ideas opens an often
neglected aspect of historical inquiry. Without it, the ability to accurately
generate empathy for historical actors and situations is impossible. It does
require some reading up front, but the effort is quickly rewarded in
allowing us to move historically distant and often two-dimensional
characters, be they good men like Kant and Bentham, or wholly evil like
Hitler or Stalin, into a more nuanced illumination.
(Want This? Doesn’t have to be included, but it might allow for essays to be
more easily searched?)
Habits of Mind:
Interrogate texts and artifacts, posing questions about the past that foster
informed discussion, reasoned debate and evidence-based interpretation.
Perceive past events and issues as they might have been experienced by the
people of the time, with historical empathy rather than presentmindedness.
1
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideology.